Darrenkane

Part of the Uni life is to undergo the metamorphosis of becoming an 'adult', someone who is able to handle the working world (or teaching world) and all the rubbish that comes along with it. In this process, one has to face the arduous task of having to sit down and study. Many Singaporeans like to study in places which are not meant for studying. Ironically, many popular outlets such as fast food chains and some coffee places will have the "No studying allowed!" sign. Studying is equated to reading notes from paper, but if you studying using your laptop, its not 'studying'. The Mugging Gang Anyway, the stress of studying or mugging (terms used interchangeably), alters a person's lifestyle, usually into one who is more consumer oriented. Cost is not so much of a concern or priority but satisfaction and stress-relieving ability of that purchase or activity. This consumer orientated lifestyle is like an addiction because once the exams are over, the li...

Roaming the streets on lesser known parts of Singapore, my usual walk from Bugis to Dhoby Ghout and vice verse, if I'm too lazy to take the train. I chanced upon this place called Slice - the Pizza Revolution at PoMo, along the same stretch as TCC. It was about 7.30pm and I was looking for a place to have dinner with my girlfriend. Slice - The Pizza Revolution Logo We didn't plan to go there but what drew us in was their poster of the  sun-dried tomato with fetta cheese  pizza. However, to my disappointment, they ran out of sun-dried tomatoes and I resorted to the next best alternative, which were Pepperoni Power  & Salmon Rocket. Not point trying something common, when you have an opportunity to try something unique. It was like a fast food setting, where you ordered your own food, and collect it when its ready. Table and chair layout were similar to that of Subway (also located downstairs). But what made it unique was their décor, th...

Place: Toby's - The Dessert Asylum Overall Rating:  7.5/10 Went there for lunch on Saturday with my girlfriend as we bought a Groupon deal which gives us $40 worth of food for $20 value.  We were showed to our seats after they prepared out table (as it was the end of the lunch peak period), and we sat at the end of the shop facing the front entrance of the mall. It was a nice seat, allowing natural light to come in and was perfect for taking photos. We decided to order the Pork Ribs with Potato Salad [$19.95] and the German Bratwurst Sausage with Garlic Rice [$16.95] (both house specialities) and a drink (Coffee Teaser, $7.95) to share. No long, our dishes came and we tucked in.  Pork Ribs with Potato Salad I found the ribs to be just nice, similar to the ones at Cafe Cartel but better. I might have looked small, but accompanied with the potato salad it was just nice. The ribs were tender and juicy when I cut into it, with slightly crispy bits at th...

Old houses along Tiong Bahru Road Went there about 2 week ago, from a recommendation of a friend, after rekindling my interest to look for good artisan coffee places. A little bit difficult to find the place, especially there for the first time but the walk through the estate, felt like a walk back in time. Chalet like backyard, to maintain the Kampong Spirit Front of forty h4nds I do not recommend going there on weekends, as it is extremely crowded and the 'sit back and relax' atmosphere as just missing. None the less, we still went in and sat at the corner near, in between the passage to the toilet and the stairs down to the outdoor seating area. The toilet was clean and so unpleasant smell. Not much of a service going on, they would quickly clean your table and maybe open the door for you if they were standing there, which they did for me. Water was self-service too. The counter of forty h4nds We had a large latte ($7), a single Macchiato ($4)...

If your a fan of cold Udon, this is the place to go. I was walking around on a Saturday afternoon, trying to find a nice place to have lunch. As usual J8, like almost every other heartland mall, was packed. However I managed to fine this place Kazokutei, located on the second floor just above Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. The place was small but could sit about 50 people, a bit cramp though. Simple decor, like that of most Japanese restaurants in Singapore. Cold Udon & Soba We ordered 2 sets, I had the Cold Udon and Soba Set, served with a side of Tempura (above) and my girlfriend had the Udon in clear broth with a Salmon Don on the side (below). The food came fast and was served hot for those that were suppose to be hot.  Udon in clear hot broth I thoroughly enjoyed the cold Udon to the Soba. The Soba broke apart too easily, as if it was over cooked. The Udon on the other hand, was much better with the bounce texture still present when you dip i...

It's the season of Christmas and that gives me more time to indulge in food. But besides eating, there is much fun and joy in making it too. So i decided to make a Marble Cheese Cake. It turned out to be easier than I expected. Mine was a little too watery and so I reduced the about of eggs into the recipe below. So here's how I did it. 1. In a plastic bag, crush 140g of diguestive biscuits until fine and add about 1 tbs coco powder, not too much or it'll taste bitter. Add soften butter (50g) into the crushed bicsuits till it sticks to each other. 2. Beat the cream (1 tube of Philadephia cream cheese) until soft, but not too much. Add 2/3 cups of fine sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tbs vanilla extract and 2/3 cup of heavy cream and mix well. 3. Remove 1/3 of the mixture into another bowl and add melted chocolate into it. 4. Line a baking tin with the crushed biscuits so that it forms a crush and pour the plain mixture into the tin. 5. Add spoonfuls of chocolate mixture into the plain mix...

Once again I'm back to blogging, still foreign with it though and at the wrong time; Exams peeking from behind the bushes with a sly smile. So what are we, poor and frustrated, students to do? Well beside praying, we can draw strength from caffeine and one of my best way, in my opinion, is to drink coffee. Stay in NTU hall, there's no personal pantry to make my own coffee. Grind the beans, and let water pass through the grains and out comes thick black gold. So I have resorted to 3-in-1. Being a person who can drink coffee and fall asleep the next moment, coffee is not longer for staying up but as a way of life and appreciating the wonders of the Earth. I was introduced to Nescafe's new 'Cafe Menu: Cappuccino & Mocha' by a very good friend. I think aesthetics is very important when selling a product and here Nescafe has does it once again. The packing is appealing to the eye and slim so it fits in your hand perfectly. I see a trend with the packaging becoming...